"The completion of the Hoover Pavilion modernization is an exciting step towards renewing our medical facilities at Stanford. Hoover Pavilion has always played an important role in our community's health and we look forward to its next role as a destination for leading edge and coordinated primary care right in Palo Alto," Rubin said in a statement.

Hoover Pavilion opened in 1931 as the Palo Alto Hospital. At the time, it was owned by the city of Palo Alto and operated by Stanford. That changed when the Stanford Medical School moved from San Francisco to the university in 1959 and Stanford Hospital opened.

The renovation took 14 months and cost $50 million. Original elements of the Art Deco building were restored, including terracotta paneling that covers portions of the exterior façade.

A replica of the iron finial, which was possibly removed during World War II for scrap metal, was replaced on top of the building tower.

When it reopens for business on Dec. 17, Hoover Pavilion will serve as the new home for Stanford Clinics. In addition, various community physician practices and the new main branch of the Stanford Health Library will be located inside the building.

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"Stanford has recently launched initiatives to both significantly expand our primary care services and to pioneer new approaches. We are committed to personalizing the experience of care and to partnering with our patients to improve their health and well-being. Hoover Pavilion will be a flagship site for Stanford's new primary care system," said Dr. Sang-ick Chang, assistant dean for clinical affairs at Stanford University School of Medicine.